Sabean to have a free hand, for a change

Bruce Jenkins

Published 4:00 am, Saturday, August 18, 2007

Photo: Brant Ward

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Rajai Davis gets congrats from Kevin Frandsen after scoring the first Giants run.
Giants vs. Washington Nationals in final game of a four game series at AT&T Park Thursday.
{By Brant Ward/San Francisco Chronicle}8/9/07 less

giants10_276.JPG
Rajai Davis gets congrats from Kevin Frandsen after scoring the first Giants run.
Giants vs. Washington Nationals in final game of a four game series at AT&T Park Thursday.
{By Brant ... more

Photo: Brant Ward

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** FILE **San Francisco Giants general manager Brian Sabean is seen in this file photo from a spring training baseball game in Scottsdale, Ariz., March 26, 2007. Sabean agreed Friday, July 13, 2007, to a two-year contract extension with the Giants that includes a club option for the 2010 season. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Ran on: 07-14-2007
General manager Brian Sabean will stop signing old players and making deals geared to help the Giants win in the near future.
Ran on: 07-14-2007
Brian Sabean will try to strike a balance of youth and established players in rebuilding.
Ran on: 07-14-2007 Ran on: 07-14-2007 A MARCH 26, 2007, FILE PHOTO EFE OUT less

** FILE **San Francisco Giants general manager Brian Sabean is seen in this file photo from a spring training baseball game in Scottsdale, Ariz., March 26, 2007. Sabean agreed Friday, July 13, 2007, to a ... more

Photo: Jeff Chiu

Sabean to have a free hand, for a change

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Brian Sabean has more problems than he can count. His team is in last place, looking the part, and apparently stuck there indefinitely. The Barry Zitosigning recalls the memory of Rennie Stennett. Too many aging players are signed up for too long, and the farm system is typically light on hitters.

Sabean's personal comeback, however, has begun.

In a week of bitterness and frustration for teams unable to sign their high draft picks - or deal with agent Scott Boraswithout trying to strangle him - the Giants, after signing an exceptional high school pitcher in Tim Aldersonlast month, signed another, Madison Bumgarner, along with hard-hitting outfield prospect Wendell Fairley.

Sabean's only significant deal of the summer, sending Matt Morristo the Pirates, could be a major heist. Aside from the minor miracle of Pittsburgh assuming the entirety of Morris' contract, Rajai Davishas proven beyond a doubt that he can run, bunt, create excitement and play a spectacular center field.

The best part of all for Sabean, though, will be reconstructing the Giants without interference this winter. Whatever disturbing rumors you've heard about majority shareholder Sue Burns and her influence regarding Barry Bonds' future, sources around the team say that's a complete nonissue.

Sue's late husband, Harmon Burns, was a wealthy and classy investor who very quietly owned 40 percent of the club. As one member of the Giants' organization put it, "He never threw his weight around. Never tried to tell the baseball people what to do. His thing - and it carries on with Sue - was a love of the game. Being friendly with the players. They saw a side of Bonds, and a lot of others, the fans and press never get to see."

Bonds and Harmon grew extremely close over the years, particularly in the months leading up to his death last November. Sue and her children feel very strongly that Bonds was an invaluable companion to Harmon in the last year of his life. They wanted Bonds back for the 2007 season, but it wasn't their call; that was driven by the marketing concerns of owner Peter Magowanand vice president Larry Baer, Sabean reluctantly jumping on board after coming up empty in the free-agent market.

In a reflection of pure desperation, Bonds and his associates - notably trainer Harvey Shieldsand agent Jeff Borris- have been blatantly friendly with Sue Burns of late, as if she could personally orchestrate his return. Won't happen. Sabean, in the wake of his recent contract extension, will be the voice that matters. Bonds had better begin scouting out his possibilities in the American League (if they even exist), because he won't be returning as a Giant.

Shift toward speed

Only a fool would play Dave Robertsahead of Davis in center field, but as a limited, 35-year-old player signed through 2009, Roberts will be difficult to unload. The winter brings many possibilities, but at the moment, Roberts seems a logical choice to play left field next year, giving the Giants two quick outfielders in a ballpark built for speed ... It seems the Giants have finally realized that Bonds, despite his gaudy offensive numbers, offers little help on the field. The Giants have lost 12 of the last 15 games in which he's homered, and his defense is a source of major irritation in the clubhouse. Neither Bonds nor manager Bruce Bochywould admit it, but Bonds was benched for his outright laziness on a fly ball that landed in left-center field for a double in Atlanta on Monday night. Even announcer Mike Krukownoted Bonds' indifference in the outfield - saying on KNBR Tuesday morning that it's been a problem "all summer long" - and Krukow made a good point: Because the Giants actually need two regulars in left field, to cover for Bonds' time on the bench, it deprives Bochy of having an extra pitcher on the roster ... As they operated what amounted to baseball's bordello, choosing bawdy entertainment over actual competition, the Giants forgot what a real clubhouse looks like. It isn't built around a fading, irritable legend who moves at his own pace. It's what you see in Philadelphia, centered around the borderline-maniacal Chase Utleyand Aaron Rowand, running through walls if that's what it takes. Their every move suggests, "This is who we are. This is how we play." And every single teammate feels a part of it.

Even if they didn't have Jack Cust, it's hard to imagine the A's going after Bonds. Three years ago, absolutely, butBilly Beanedoesn't strike me as a guy who would go rummaging through the Giants' trash ... Just wondering: With a year left (probably) in his career, how can Bonds say (a) he wants to play for the Giants and (b) "I need a championship" and be taken seriously? ... The best part about David Beckham's revival Wednesday night - nice assist to Landon Donovanand a trademark free-kick goal - was the sense that a healthy Beckham could still be a valuable part of the English national team. ... No offense to a very good man, but Warriors fans were confetti-strewn revelers after learning that Adonal Foylewas released. What an absolute godsend for the franchise. Some say he'll be in demand around the league, but it's hard to imagine much interest in a big, active player who couldn't earn Don Nelson's trust under any circumstances, even with rebounding and shot-blocking a major team weakness ... Nice idea to christen the playing surface as Bill Walsh Fieldat Candlestick. Perhaps it could start a trend; around China Basin, Mays Field sounds just about right.

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